Ah My Goddess Fan Fiction ❯ Valkyrie's Mirror ❯ Act XI ( Chapter 16 )

Oh My Goddess! - Valkyrie's Mirror

 

Volume II

 

Act XI

 

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The scream was `heard'. Well and absolutely truly so it was. It was finally then that twenty plus years of preparation for an Ascension they were not fully understanding, made a formal mark upon their mutual minds.

 

The Illuminarans were aware enough of their own nascent mind link, a form of telepathy with far more to offer, as they slowly were accepting such things, over the passing years. Newborn generations were exacerbating this over the aged, ever since the war, as such all seven Star Systems of the some sixty billion strong civilization had long since retracted themselves from all but all of the galaxy. By now, the Illuminarans were becoming their own bedtime story now, amongst the other civilizations. It was like meeting a myth in person, when one met an Illuminaran anymore.

 

Until now, the Illuminarans were all but ghosts in a fracturing galaxy. As much as the galaxy was shattered in all but open name, at the time of the Marian assault, the Illuminarans were all but secluded into apathy and mere waiting for their apparent destiny. The Assault shook their apathy apart, the current assault on the Capital System of the Illuminaran Core, as much as the rest if had done to Galactic unity.

 

And then they felt one of their own die, and all the details of it were melded to `all' their minds. Including the realization that it was true, of their savior's return. (Of a fashion.)

 

And of all the civilizations that had all reason to heed the call of their mass `titled' Excellency, the Illuminarans had even more.

 

And they `agreed' to come indeed.

 

--------------------

 

-Deep within the Dream-

 

“This is what you call a Dream?”

 

Imladris shivered as he truly had forgotten the place of `this' creation, merely teleporting deep within into the Core of it. He quips back to Urd. “Well... aye.”

 

Feeling Lind's stiff of gentle hands into his right, was a mesh of a calming influence, was it was shared awe. This as they all of the mixed crew of transposed and native aliens all alike, came to a place they `all' were alien unto. Words failed here, as all, save Imladris, Ackronus, and Ere`ith, had been here. Not that it saved them either from the majesty here.

 

The sky was looking at manufactured masses of inward curved `land', of continental sizes, covered in terran landscapes of all kinds, easily found on Earth. The mists of cloud masses of all kinds dominated to create portals and mists to look through, unto these lands that encompassed the `sky'. Such was how looking where the plates were separated, `deeper' on high plates that orbited further on up, as many as four to six more were seen, where orbiting plates allowed, demonstrated the incredible nature of this place alone. It was already foretold that the `unseen' layers mirroring below each seen layer, was a terraformed mirror of sorts. Plates on both sides were teeming with terraformed life, forests that just dumped raw heavenly power to the senses. The number of plates were set at thirty-seven, as set to achieve proper `mass' for a regular planet, without creating further gravitational warping that could affect the whole reason, that this `planet' was created for. The untold amounts of complexity to this vast working, boiled down to the sight before them, as they passed through the `entry' station, from the teleporter chamber, (more like a stadium really,), out from a temple complex, into the large `core' of this artificial planet.

 

Seeing it just ripped gasps from the Celestials, as even Mara just couldn't contain against. Skuld of the wonderment tone and bit... “I feel so at home here.”

 

Peorth nods. “Why do I feel like coming back to my old duty task?”

 

Imlade chuckling, if uneasily, made them all become suspicious. This as they approached a rather interesting place, a `plate' here, in the more conventional sense of shape, that looked much like another whole stadium, with glowing walkways that stretched from twelve exact walkways, all around, into a vast glowing forest. Not just glowing, as Frode attested. “The trees here look like they are made of light.”

 

“You mean like the kind love got encased in?” ...this Lind quips, Ishara blinking before remembering the duty logs. “Oh, sorta like Angelus's breath attack? My, such an interesting ability she has.”

 

Imlade just only grumbled to a needed amusement all around. Eros just quips. “I should hear details of... ow!” ...to the hazard of Sigrun's pinch of `cheek'. “Not the time bub.”

 

Past the banter, awe kept hammering on in, as indeed the mass `ring' of trees, many many rows deep, from the edge of the plate, to a end point near the center all around, to create a strange `donut' of sorts, that just glowed with light, made from organisms of all but pure light. And they were immense each, as they reach the edge, from the glowing walkway of apparent light here as well, upon the trees, that reached well above mere oak and pine standards. Others within filled the size gamut, down to tine trees, and mere saplings that radiated like stars, for the looking.

 

It was much for at least `one' demonic soul to stand nominally. “Damn this is gaudy.” ...this as some of the others look, as Mara produces a set of sunglasses, and adjusts them on. She then breathes a semi sigh of relief. She then cracks unneeded... “I need sunblock. Anyone got a spell for that?”

 

“Here.” ...this Urd responds with a flick of Mara's ear. The whine is ignored as they eventually pass deeper within. Eihwa asks as they approach the center... “Santo cielo, did we have to take this kind of route? I' becoming denuded to everything here, and even I know, this should not be.”

 

Imladris just sighs, and relents only to give patience by. “Explaining it `with' belief, would only come with sight. Plus directly teleporting to the exact center here, is impossible, concerning the dimensional nature of this place. If not for the teleporter chamber, we could even reach here normally. Not without Gate as a needed medium herself.”

 

Suddenly Urd walks on by! “Okay, lets see what you did to make it so.” ...this Troubadour is dragged along. Imlade just sighs raggedly, before Skuld does the same with Sentaro in kind.

 

And all such just a pointless affair, as arrival gives the Celestials such pause. Explaining further was unneeded past... “It's the Hub.” ...Peorth.

 

Save for a more open air feeling atmosphere here, only just so due to toe still `on high' sight above, it's all an exact match. Save for one extraordinary difference. Urd spoke of this on `her' sight. “That's the Yggdrasil Tree. Or.... but how!?” ....this as a LOT of faces turned to look at the obviously sweating Lord Knight. (Or whatever he's called now.)

 

It was however the shivering hands of Lind that jostled the truth forth, like a sinner preaching sins enmasse. Such was how two truths were melded for one. The Alliance one, and the Intracel one. (And one Nidhog for pointless measure.)

 

“Where to begin.” ...this as he walked forth from Lind's hands, into the sight of several Griffional Techs and Attendants, some within floating platforms, just as awed at the presence of the so called Galactic Savior, as Imladris was of what he was going to tell.

 

And he stops near where the Goddesses knew was approaching Hub Chair, and the Operator stations. A bluish hue replaced a pinkish one for the holoview display here around the central `port', where a beautiful miniature of Yggdrasil, for all intents unexpected, hovered within a shimmering field of self made energies, as it's own life infusing energy pool.

 

Such Imlade quips again as he turned around... “Where to begin.”

 

“Ahem.” Comes from a Valkyrian source, as Lind walks back up to a blinking knight. “Whom said you could break your grip from mine?” ...as she possessively takes `back' that same of hands grip indeed. Such to the glum-blush in tomato-cheek return, such to the amusement of the rest. Kaia just quips. “My, such a possessive citizen soul.” ...this Ishara `proudly' responds nearby. “That's my code of relation for ye.”

 

“Mio Dio, why is she so natural at that, and I be not?” ...this Peorth rolls her eyes at openly.

 

--------------------

 

The darkness of the chamber just suffocated. It gave even sound a rarity, as it seemed to be bidden away by it's own fears. One Commander stood alone with his Master. The sight of the Armada was just as suffocating, as the Commander asked. “Should we not attack and belay their plans, before they assault us? I ask of strategy alone, of course.”

 

The Emperor just sits there, wheezing of ashen breath. Satorna just waits, knowing from painful experience of otherwise pressed. The tone returns eventually for it's own, baleful accord.

 

“All I can feel, all my senses, all my waking moments, dredged in a nightmare of wretched life, encrusted all around this hapless format of a being. No breath, or smell, can be taken, without this putrid truth, seeping all my senses. Comfort is an alien term, to my continuing existence here.

 

This galaxy alone, a froth of lifeforms that act all like viruses upon the further corruption, that is this existence. It is all I feel, burning this carcass with every moment, that I remain here. The duty to her Will is a torture upon me, one I must complete with the only result, that will free me from this Torment.”

 

Satorna just gulps barely. As Caceroth just seethes out, with great angst. “Only the end result matters to me. Only that which succumbs to the Will. See fit to meld all other concerns to this matter. It means little what occurs in between, only that they `all', the wretched vessels replete, are present to the End that `will' occur.

 

The acid of failure will not occur.” ...said of a being that did not want to be one. Satorna dared no ask a question, that any other proper being would ask of Caceroth. Why bother existing?

 

The only soul that did ask, Satorna has nightmares fed continuously into his mind, as the `rest' of the Marian slaves, of the month long torture the fool endured, and for all the Demon First Class knew, still is, upon whatever final realm the hapless soul ended up.

 

The Emperor just clenched forth of tone. “If you wish to waste resources, prior to the inevitable, be it known only `you' will fall blame for the consequences. Do not presume my favor, as freedom of choice. It is where I place Her Will, to the most effect, with only one aim. Remember this, as do you of your conversion, and your pledge from it.”

 

“Then I only need, send one message. The only message that matters. Their technology is of more proper effect than our Marian version.”

 

The shadow of ash just turned his throne, and looked out into the cosmic saccloth. The Commander took the answer unheeded, and relayed the order.

 

--------------------

 

“Did you have to do that Urd!?”

 

Urd just smirks around. “It's a sorta history lesson, ain't it?” This looking around a haphazard spell of usual Norn, and norm, of a ad-hoc, traditional class room setting, within the extraordinary setting around them. Skuld of course snaps again... “Yeah well ASK next time before force dressing us in school outfits!!!”

 

Ishara/Frode: “Indeed.” ...this two high gods quip, as Kaia and Eros pulled at their gender specific cloth, set for a Japanese High School manga. As such, Ackronus and Ere`ith just bemoaned as one mindset. “What fools consider this proper attire?!” ... “Reminiscent of the Ioth race, before celibacy consumed them.” ...their versions hard describe, without pictures. (Imagination well authorized here.)

 

Chihiro just eeked of bared teeth. “Not going to ask about that.”

 

Imlade set in headmaster cloth just made him grumble out the ying of yang, as Lind looked pensive in `her' cloth. Imlade as a result. “Love, if ye would.” ...and one stiff snap of crisp thumb, and a sigh of most relief among most the attending. Urd just moans lightly, though Eihwa notes the class setting remains. She just smirks. “And now we're futuristic, of cloth, in a class setting instead. Interessante.”

 

“One of those days.” Imlade quips. Lind just `coughs' out suddenly to... “The tale dear.”

 

And stiffly begun. “Twenty seven approximate years where it begun, it took about into the Second Phase of the War to realize the demons had started using a form of energy to maintain communications and power for various sources of use. A multilateral energy form that was starting to give the Emperor then, an advantage over the Alliance. (If it was called that back then really.)”

 

“It was enough.” Kaia imparted, enough eyes looking... “No one failed to realize what we were fighting for, and whom against back then. Just seemed to all grow from it, the more the War grew.”

 

“And why we tried to use Hild's own energy form, or a really borrowed fashion, to make that energy, bucko head spoke of.” ...Mara responds, Imladris blinking. “From Hild? How the Light and Dark did you acquire that?”

 

“What she forced more like. But then you were saying, since it's a form of an arms race we speak of.”

 

Lind cocks her head over, as Imladris nodded. “I `quite' quickly realized the change, when... well...

 

They all certainly didn't expect...

 

----

 

----

 

-One War of previous history, early on.-

 

-One War chamber of another technological note.-

 

“Three Star Systems `that' fast?”

 

“Yes Commander.” ...a much younger Kaia remarked dourly. The Knight Commander of yet still Squire note sighs. Ackronus just gripped at the holotable with his massive grip. “It took us ten Geth`Cyclons to take those Systems from the Invernus. How so blakin easily!?

 

“The same the Weeze System was. There's a confirmed change in the Marian tactics. Or... something has changed.” Imladris quipped. He was still unused to the name, even after two years into using it. But the emotional semantics were shoved aside when Scetu remarked over from behind. “// The assistance you asked for, is it indeed coming?”

 

Imladris just sighed. “So quick with the questions for help. I should remind that it's been our own abilities that got us this far. All the way it still will require, whether help comes or not. As such, and this will be of objection, I want the Tenth and Sixteenth Fleets to fall back from the Uutii System for now. They'll come for that System next.”

 

Of course from Ackronus. “Nevermind the poetical implications, or soulitarian ethics of it, but it's only one of three energy storage depots in the Alliance.”

 

And Imladris in turn. “Yes, and we can stand to lose it for a half Cyclon to reorient for a counter strike, while their forces are adjusting from capturing. Just inform to hold their energy shields on for that long if needed, to take `back' those lost Systems.

 

I'll refrain from the consequences otherwise.”

 

Imladris then hears from a random Illuminaran nearby. “These fools seem to be able to gain power, too easily. Where the honor of it?”

 

----

 

----

 

“Where indeed.” Peorth quips. Mara just snarls back.

 

----

 

----

 

It was a quiet evening, one of those minor halts in activity that relented itself, over even war. Imladris found the time of intersperse, unwanted this time. Looking out the viewport of his personal quarters of the Illistrum, he knew the enemy was regathering for their next push.

 

A Squire just sighed. “Indeed over one's head. Our enemies seem to keep holding that card.” ...and a look out, into unremarkable space, nothing save the sea of stars beyond, not even wisps of light near enough to illuminate stellar gas.

 

Usually those were the times that thoughts turns `much' more provincial. He even tried to prod them forth. It should have been easy to do, even the mere touch of the jumpsuit underneath, lent this forth, even during battle sometimes.

 

“But not now.

 

We're losing.”

 

----

 

----

 

“That... simple?”

 

Imladris of present nominal, cocks his head over. “I never had the one true love, to think about, before I died back on my old world., of that so called Great War. Not until you, did I get that chance, during an even greater war. If such a term applies, ever poorly.”

 

Lind took that, for what it was. She gulps at the implication, as Mara blinked. “Wow, we had you on the ropes that badly? Just like that?”

 

“The Alliance had no proper counter to demonic energies like we saw. We fell back too easily to any comfort. What the heck was it all anyway?”

 

Mara responded, everyone, even the Attendants switching sight, forth and back. “We're not fully sure. We never named it. Just used it. Abusively even.”

 

“Noted.” Eros growled. Mara just leaned her face unto left hand, sitting all slouched about her `desk'. “The same to you, about a month after all that.”

 

“Which happened at that moment of impart. Felt like a Dream, for all it was worth.”

 

Lind blinked back over to her Confessor.

 

----

 

----

 

Time lost it's own track. He hoped lives didn't go along with it, as he searched all he knew, all that training, for an answer for this situation.

 

It came to him, complete unexpectedly.

 

“: Heed an answer to your summons for answers. :”

 

“(My Lord? My profuse apologies for even attempting, but...)”

 

“: It was anticipated that our mutual foe, would not lose, without measures she should not be relenting so easily. The Payment I fear will be just as harsh, and the only counter to this now, it the Answer you seek.

 

I know your heart, and how indelible you are to you now, fellow souls. Do not ask of me queries, but utilize my Gifts, as you would all else you use as you `have' seen fit. This I see Always, and approve thus far.

 

Such is my Trust. :”

 

He knew praise to enjoy, for that one moment, the next saw a blaze of light, Imladris knew was from Gate. A short lived portal that literally dumped an opulent box of white and Angelic, unto his sleep bed.

 

Hard at that, as it crumpled one edge of the bed with decent noise. Imladris jitters an eye at, with... “Uh, maybe more gently next time? Uhm... no, nay. There won't be.” ...as he walks over, as the overcomms snapped alive with... “- Bro?! We registered a massive gravity spike in your zone! What's the situation! -”

 

Imladris just snickered. “I'll inform in a bit. Stand by.” ...as he walked over and found the box indeed heavy to the limb, as he adjusted the box unto the bed proper. Saving strength in favor of curiosity, he found the box also heavily empowered to the touch. The box opened easily along a seam of it's own opening, to the same touch, spanned open from the top, like a flowering pair of leaves.

 

Within, mainly datapads of data that contained `all' the secrets to the eventual victory that was wanted for, verses the defeat that was worse than the consequence of torture along with. The data so dimensionalized, they unintentionally became a technological form, of a set of bibles for the Alliance. The stuff magic and technology become the same thing. The stuff Creation even had anchors of.

 

But along with, two other specialized tidbits that had much more to offer.

 

One of the heart, in the form of unintended correspondence, of a certain Valkyrie's duty logs, a bit too expounded upon a `missing' personal matter.

 

The other...

 

----

 

----

 

Lind blinked. “You read my duty logs from back then?!”

 

“Aye. Though, not sure `where' they came from.” Imladris asked in enough innocent manner, to disarm Lind by. Boy was her blush that bad, as was her annoyance when Urd, Peorth `and' Eihwa went with the pointlessly `innocent hum' tact. Course her heart was a gush, when Imladris offered... “It probably all saved my mind, for the rest of the time it took to turn the tide of the war back to the Alliance. Hate to tell of truth, I wasn't holding up as well as intended.”

 

Kaia nodded. “We hold no ill. Not after what happened apparently next.” ...this as Lind whispers over. “You read my reports?”

 

Imladris fluster bade that off with a sudden thumb behind him. At the magnificent being that was `also' listening. “I have to ask, but has Yggdrasil ever produced seeds, of an acorn variety before?”

 

Urd sure wasn't joshing around with her response. “You're mad! Yggdrasil, Intracel.... it only grows of the System it oversees! Not of itself! I... I mean....” ...this Peorth relented. “We don't have records of such, though, we `do' accept there was a beginning even for Yggdrasil itself. But to `know' of such a thing, is beyond our current generations of active goddesses to know.”

 

Lind even responds aghast enough, of her austere norm. “Belove, Yggdrasil is not supposed to produce offspring like that, not considering the mere nature of `what' the Ash Tree even is. The sheer potential of such energies being abused by the wrong party, or... but, you then mean...”

 

“And yet...” Frode encompasses the realizing tone. Imladris sighed back to this formally. “...it must have. I've never felt `such' power come from anything, before, or since. No lifetime I would ever hold, for whatever reason of history insane, will have a comparison, to the seed I held that day.

 

As soon as I knew what it was, I tried to send it back immediately.”

 

----

 

----

 

The size of an orange, as far as acorn shaped objects go, it floated within the cusps of his hands. It was a touch hard to look at directly, the rough texture of the obvious Seed, just gushing forth with light. Imlade however thought he felt `giggling', from it, which just made no sense to him.

 

“This... isn't right.” ....and concentrated immediately for `any' portal back to Heaven, to form. He quickly, found out, the Seed wouldn't let him. He also quickly felt `why' it wouldn't. He then `felt' next.

 

“: Trust. :”

 

All right to be coolly afraid, encompassed his senses.

 

“This... so strange.”

 

Just then, the hatch to his room snaps open, as 24, Ackronus, and some Alliance troopers burst in! “Bro! What's going.... on..... eh? Wow, what's that?” ...looking at the shiny `bead', as Imlade cracks back. “Don't you knock first?”

 

The intruding lot, just trade off kilter looks, before 24 then shields her eyes. “Wow that's a bright pebble.” ...as she finds, and adjusts some shielding goggles and remarks... “There ye go.”

 

Imlade blares a dry glance, as the others start doing the same. They even gabber at said relief to their eyes. Imlade just quips a good shade annoyed. “My my my, what an upstanding fleet I have before me. Gee whiz.”

 

----

 

----

 

“I could not return it. Apparently, and I say this of such hazard, I should be smote for it: Almighty played It's direct hand, into the War. That Tree, as a result, is the genesis of everything the Alliance now takes for granted.” ...another thumb of stab toward the Hikari Tree. In fact. “It grew into it's own power of Light, so strong, I could only call ii: Hikari. The Japanese word for the same. It was about the only thing `not' named or made, or whatever of this galaxy, of moniker of the realm I grew to love.

 

To the point, the Hikari Trees as the Alliance now know them, come from the Seeds of `her'.”

 

“Thank you for the propriety.”

 

They all froze. They knew `who's voice, that was. Lind gasped, as Imladris turned around and gave a kind smile. “Sorry for lack of proper introductions. Connecting the historical dots like this, takes a lot.”

 

“Verily. A voice can take up such slack, further. Against the great darkness I feel, I already give consent, to what is of you mind. The time for further, we do not have.”

 

Imladris decided to explain further despite, for the honor of it. “Before Hikari came, a formal subspace layer did not exist. Within a month after, it did, one now called the Hikari Subspace layer. It was `exactly' the opposite of energies and all needed medium, to oppose the demonic vein. It's our communications, our min links, the Network, the medium to engender prolonged life natural, and further or regeneration and even resurrection. It even acts as the medium Fold jumps can even work, by allowing a specialized medium that's not corruptible by outside subspace medium influences of `any kind'. Even ones that are even `more' malevolent that even the energies Hild offered of use. (Why is the nevermind here.)

 

Heck, even our teleportation medium the Alliance uses, is anchored from this one being, and `all' her marvelous, magnanimous progeny. One's that was given free reign to expand their progeny, to any medium they chose. The more they expand, the more the subspace energy so did. Planets, star platforms, engine cores... I'm not sure there's a limit to their current growth. All they wanted....”

 

“...was to see the realm we now belong in, as if we could walk amongst them, as one of you, with every day and moment.” ...this the lot hear to amazement, even if it was already known to the Griffionals present. To hear of a form of soothing telepathy, to call such crudely, just raptures them all. Further then with... “I was borne to a warring universe. I understood as my own Father, the same as yours of all, that I was of purpose from the start. I only wanted to learn from it. Just... to learn. All experiences are such, are they not? Every breath, every thought, every touch?

 

It is all my purpose, and given that free reign to spread forth my own children, as they helped in saving this grand experiment.”

 

Imladris nods, as Hikari `does as well'. “I too also feel the falter of it. There are hidden sins, pains too easy to ignore, yet inflict. Ones I closed myself of soul off from, until now. Of now the ones that were once united against, returned, with a far more dire intent.

 

I too will lose all I wish for, if the end falters into reality. We `all' have such a stake to encompass. We all will live, or expire, as one to rejoice, or be forgotten.”

 

“Ye mean, that be `it'?!!” ...this eyes turn unto Ackronus. Tamiya blinks. “Whut? Whys?” ...and in beady eye turn. “Attendants lain prayers and chants over the Overcyclons for any wisdom to heed. Every whisper, we think we hear, is like messiah to follow. Our spiritual make comes from this Tree, since it's planting.

 

We go through seeming eons to... eh? What be...!??!”

 

Even Imlade blinks, when Eihwa just simply hovers over and caresses the Hikari Tree. “Eh, I've never been one for pompous ceremony either. So, how many are you out there now?”

 

“Some five billion exceeded. As our Planter speaks of, we grow like weeds. Such is the way of any life with a focus.”

 

“Really? Do you all gossip much? I always loved the Angelvine of such, when I usually work.”

 

“You work Secur?” Peorth quips dryly. Eihwa throws a proper fit for it. Hikari is heard having a good laugh from it, something disarming for the Attendants to hear. (A good version of disarming, at that.)

 

Imladris nods and then points out. “Nonetheless, we have the needed assistance. Mainly for the Dimensional Shields and Ionic Weapon suites. With the lethal weapons mainly inert for the short term, and long term isn't proper form, it'll be Ionics or bust for us. It's our only real chance, I fear.”

 

“Impressive.” Nossi quips, still feeling for sense of things here.

 

But then... “For the payments of usual agreed norms, understood by our mutual existence.”

 

Imladris paused a good stutter, as then focused aside him. “The fabled lady of blue light, as your heart serenade unto me, so many a time.” ...as Lind blushes for all it's intended worth. Imladris nods. “Verily.”

 

“When once you promised your heart to this one, to the day I now fully witness in presence, I then `know' of the next truth, of the Illistrum. The Blue Light of the Star of Thirds. One that steps to the `other' union needed, to end another tale.

 

Only to this agreement, I will contract my full power for this great endeavor at hand. Speak of me agreement, of what you `know'.”

 

...such was how hard Imlade was trying to keep the chill of a `new' secret at bay, as Lind leans in lethally. “Ye mean, the Illistrum, is...”

 

“The three blue in blue stars of the third Star System of the Illuminarans. I mean it's quite rare for a Trinary to be of such perfect symmetry of each other, that they share only one name. Look like icy stars, when you see them. I mean... well, it just felt natural that... I... you know I hate it when you stare.”

 

Lind amorously didn't stop. “I should have always know.”

 

Frode afar looks a tic annoyed, though Ishara smirks a mother's best. “Such a wondrous pair. How far they go for each other.” ...as Sentaro starts thumbing his chin. “Wonder what I could....” ...this Skuld hears. “What?”

 

“Oh, ah... nothing.”

 

Urd heard different enough, though then she hears. “What star though, is as bright, as my Urdy Wurdy is?”

 

“How bout I name a gas giant after you, you bag of gas!”

 

Troubadour wilts a bit, though Urd then leans in. “But then, I wouldn't mind both in the same `System'.” ...whit a Spirited `blink' of.

 

This was starting a chain unneeded, as Mara makes a quick whistle out! “Guys! A bit of all that moronic stuff later, will ya all?!”

 

“I luike Commetss.” Tamiya says a bit out of place, to a small chuckle from Chihiro. And then to round it all out... “I will attend to that matter, upon a verily proper and wanted time.” Imlade remarks, Lind hearing, sensing enough to keep a stoic bottle on some very deep feelings. It was quickly sensed all around, as Imladris finished with a rather tender touch of full hand, to Hikari's glowing trunk.

 

“The right time, when we win.”

 

“Then my part comes, now.”

 

It quickly ended all further from there, as Imladris quickly walks by everyone, the rest suddenly scrambling to catch up.

 

“We attack in ten cyclon hours, less if I deem it.”

 

“Aye.” ...a `lot' of voices spike, from far more than just the Alliance souls.

 

It was needed.

 

--------------------

 

The Commander held his infernal hand, of a mind bending glow of equal infernal. The vessel commander of `choice', was broken to the wanted will, as a result. A signature mark that got the job done, one with no return measure, save terror.

 

“Now go, and feed their flame of emotion. Make them make mistakes from it. Begin and end with it.”

 

The holodisplay snapped off, the reach of mind pull, very real.

 

And the Marian fleet lost one vessel of the captured, to a simple act.

 

--------------------

 

“Why is the planet set like that anyway?” Chihiro asks. One a query begotten by a Mara like chuckle, from the original make.

 

“Not as smart as the kid, at the center of these stories.”

 

“Better `kid' than someone speaking in his absence.” Chihiro fires back. Mara blinked unexpectedly at that one, as Skuld remarks, the lot back aboard a vessel, that Lind felt `far' more attached unto now. “It's a converter medium, the same we goddesses need back on Earth.”

 

“Any world plane in fact.” Peorth adds. Eros tried to respond, but a pretty quiet Sigrun up to now, just flicks him back quiet. (And such Kaia is noticing more and more.) Eihwa then looks over at the mutual `Excellency' of presence. “One cannot apply tenth dimensional physics, directly to a third dimensional medium. Not unlike nitrogen psychosis unto a biological format.”

 

“Hence the teleporter chamber used.” Imlade laments, walking about the bridge deck. “There's a lot of power within a tenth dimensional format. Just mere power alone is such an injustice. Raw data even isn't enough. Has to be filtered for Third dimensional use, which still leaves so divined much power to use.

 

It's been quite actually hard to push the limits of that, and since the war, I won't even ask how much more Hikari Subspace energy there is now.” ...this as he stops near the main viewport, no holographics active here. The sight was lamenting, far more active a scene, than the one from his ancient memories. “Never thought I'd ask of such. There won't be another the same, after all this. Almighty I swear of this.”

 

“// Fold envelope forming.” Scetu imparts. Imlade just quips out. “To war then.”

 

Everything feels of a entrenching norm to the whole group present, as Kaia and Ere`ith speak unto themselves, away from the others. Eihwa and Lind find their own accompaniment, as Imladris found his solace nulled.

 

“Problem?” ...as the Fold commenced. Eihwa just smirked with arms behind back, while Lind spoke further from before. “Only if I know, what the secret is, you hold from even our mind link.” ...this Imlade shivers of. It was obvious, she knew something was apparent. Imladris somehow hid `that' one iota, under perfect soul lock and mind key. Lind instead heard, of a quite disarming effect. “Ye should know, that your reports, had a rather interesting tone, if the voice data recordings alone, are truly accurate. Every time that you trailed off in your reports. Occurred a lot more than I expected. Such interesting insight.”

 

Lind gulps, and clearly realizes. Eihwa leans in a bit more than she `knew' was safe. Lind cocks her head and whispers. “Of?”

 

“Longing....

 

....even.... erotic.”

 

Lind smirks.

 

“I'll have to remember that.” ...as Lind turns. Then adding. “To act upon properly.”

 

Even Eihwa was drawing shallow breath, for a good bit of time.

 

As they exit from Foldspace however, the warning klaxons suddenly explode of blare!!

 

“REPORT!”

 

“// Ascertaining!” ...Scetu rips, before sight enough, told enough. Chihiro alone told a facade, of many that no longer could.

 

--------------------

 

-Four minutes and seventeen seconds earlier.-

 

“It's quiet.” ...a Furbrath Controller remarked. The Assat Main controller just bemoaned. “One should know better to speak of such things.” ...this as even these highly advanced beings, held their breath for a moment.

 

Several after that, they just let it go, as light data traffic catches a few of the other Controller's attentions. Just then, a comm message from below. “- We've finished Core Twelve traffic patterns. The other Cores have taken over. We're focusing on the Hikari Cores next, so take a break up there, good souls. -“

 

“Understood.” ..the Assat replied, and then turned to give a needed break to his proper crew.

 

The words failed as the klaxons hit. The Assat turns, as a mass shadow just blocked out all of space. The last thing heard...

 

“Unidentified ship... we...”

 

“There's an energy spike!!!”

 

The Assat just hoped...

 

--------------------

 

“- Half the Core was hit. Sixty percent of the structure is severely damaged. -“

 

Coldness. The only feeling here.

 

“What happened?”

 

24, sporting good burns from the sheer energy outwash of the detonation, even despite the depth of the Main Command Center, just responds as Mid-Techs attend to her. “- One captured vessel from the Marians. A simple Core Breath of a Fold Energy Core. -“ ...this as Imladris had to hold the railing near him, before Lind and Eihwa helped. “No.... that.... that Seed. And.... those souls?”

 

“We're still compiling. But it's likely anyone on the surface of the Core Base, didn't survive. I'm not sure how anyone did. I've never seen a Core breach executed before anyway. It was all hypothesis, before now.”

 

“What the hell's going on?” Chihiro chills out. Mara relents. “Something that's supposed to be impossible. Hell `was' unleashed here. From a heavenly source.”

 

Imladris had to take a moment, alone, to steady himself. Ackronus and Ere`ith just were already doubled over. Goddesses crying all about. Things hit harder now than ever.

 

“24, transfer your Flag here. Tell anyone who's left of Command, to transfer their own flags to any cruiser of their choice.” ...this as his tone just couldn't hide remorse. 24 nods. “- Understood. -“

 

--------------------

 

“I feel, helpless again.” Skuld shudders, in a needed hug from Sentaro. Lind meanwhile was focusing more and more to learn of a dire situation, being explained in the Medical Center of the Illistrum. 24 was all but covered in healing salves, the regeneration rings active, even despite 24 being awake. It was telling.

 

“Folded dead within the atmosphere zone. The rest... well....”

 

“But... but... Hikari Seeds...” ...Ackronus stammers out... “...it's against `all' of their natures. How could one even think of being forced into a Core Breach? I thought that was even impossible!”

 

“Reset `all' security codes.” Imladris whispers, Scetu nodding and `complying' upon such. For a moment, everyone just stared blankly, as they waited for another word, from their resident leader here. Frode asks to bring the conversation forward. “How should it be impossible, despite fact now?”

 

“Normally, or whatever normally now comprises...” Ackronus explains, to a very rare agitation... “...An energy core with a Hikari Seed, would render inert, rather than detonate, under any, but the most dire circumstances. As you all saw, such is why for such protective measures.”

 

Scetu remarks, for the harsh truth of it. “// There were a lot of Alliance vessels captured, during the current debacle. We have a larger problem if they send more.”

 

“They won't.” Imladris remarks, though 24 responds quickly enough. “There's little to stop them.”

 

“The Seeds won't allow that kind of attack a second time. Plus, this `Emperor' had a form of dramatic flair, to all he did. In the end, they still are outnumbered by our forces. Squandering more vessels like this would become ineffective, now that we know better.

 

How hard were we hit, beyond the Core Base?”

 

24 just bemoans out. “About twenty percent of the inner line of vessels were all but wiped, the rest with varying degrees of damage. Beyond the inner line, the other vessels are in proper order, outside of Pulse and subspace disruption to various systems. Most of the Facet Commanders that were no killed in the detonation, have found suitable vessels to command.”

 

“It's just like him.”

 

Heads turn again, this time as Sigrun quips. “Mara?” ...before Eros growls a bit too much, to make Imlade silence him. Mara remarks in despite it all. “He wanted the chance to do, well... exactly this tactic. It's so strange.”

 

“Mara.” Imladris prods. Said demoness looks and cocks her head. “When we were getting are collective arses kicked...” ...Urd quips at... “...'arses'?” ...before Mara flusters off and snaps. “Satorna wanted to do `just' this, during the war. Just grab one of these Alliance ships, and do `just' this tactic. We never got the chance, since you guys, up to now, were so dammed secretive with your stuff. Admirable, if annoying to approach.”

 

“For the reason, we just saw. The SAME blasted reason I wanted to send the Seed back in the first place. That's what worries me about all this.”

 

Lind gulps out. “Explain.”

 

“If somehow `all' those seeds in the Cores, ruptured at once. I was hoping somehow the enemy would overlook all this. But now that one `was' destroyed, the others will likely go inert, far knowing better.”

 

“: They have. :” ...they hear collectively from Hikari, Chihiro bonking her own head for it. “That feels so weird.” Hikari speaking on further. “: The Seeds are fully aware and are in a state of near coma induced. The danger of another attack similar, is passed.

 

But the similar measure of an exacting effect, lies even moreso. :”

 

“A similar effect that can destroy this galaxy, at a minimum.” Peorth connects the terrifying dots.

 

“That's what She'd want.”

 

“Who?” Kaia and Eros quip, before the overcomms snap to life suddenly, with Sceta-12's voice. “- // Excellency, we're receiving coded signals from...fascinating. -“

 

“Aye?” Imlade prods. In return. “”- // A signal from the Illuminarans! They wish to see you personally over Triszesta IV, quickly I would garner. -“

 

Imlade blinks lightly. “Okay.” ...before he then hears of a FAR more amazed fashion. Ere`ith of specific note... “Even I have difficulty, remembering the last time, the Illuminarans wished for anything, other than solitude. Their pining for ascension was all they cared for, for all intents.”

 

Eihwa just croons... “Someone is ever so benvoluto.” ...though Lind just shoves Eihwa off comically! “Quit it.”

 

Imladris just looks over at 24 and Ackronus. The former... “A bit of bad timing, but should not be remiss.”

 

“We may gain a needed ally, from the sleepers there.” ..the latter.

 

“Prepare to Fold. If another attack occurs in our, absence disperse the Fleet to the inactive Cores, and wait for orders there. Otherwise, stay put at high alert.”

 

“- // Relaying Sire. -“

 

Imladris was already walking out again, with the usual train. (Peorth even in the rear, quipping. “Within ten meters. Within.”.)

 

Frode just remarks, ever challenging Imladris's mindset. “You seem to be of one, with ever the answers here.”

 

“We trust it.” Frode gets back in turn, from 24, Kaia, Eros, `and' Ackronus, all at once. Imlade had to fight down a blush of proud sorts, as they head on down.

 

Mara however trails behind, lost in a disturbing train of thought. Nossi trails as well, before noting Mara. Saying nothing, as she slows and Mara passes by, muttering.... “Could he be...?”

 

Nossi remains last, just looking neutrally, before sauntering on.

 

--------------------

 

“Well.” ...the other three hear, from their primary captive. “I wont make fun of those old war movies, ever again.” ...this as Keiichi readjusts his seat once more, the floor of the cage, quite uncomfortable, even despite Belldandy's helpful efforts, of what little she dared here. Keiichi just bemoans. “Especially those POW ones and all.”

 

“Indeed, not our finest hour, dear.”

 

No snickers to be had from it, as they peer up, through the crimson energy field, and at one of three `ever' present guards, in Marian battle trooper armor, their plasmatic rifles readily charged. Their eyes looking for a reason to use them in fact.

 

It all just impugned on attempts to do more than banter lightly. Megumi alone, was surprised they were allowed that much. The first bare attempt to even `touch' the base of the cage energy projection ring at the base, almost got her a new hole in her head. They all quickly garnered, that escaping was ill likely to occur.

 

“I've never seen such murderous looks before.” Keiba mutters out, as the same guard just had a loom of wanting to act on just that.

 

Keiichi meanwhile tried to focus on the mind link... “(Belldandy?)”

 

“- Keiichi? -“ ...heard like it was in another room, rather far off. Keiichi tried a bit harder.

 

“(Can you hear me Belldandy?)” ...he pushes a bit `too' loud, as it shows on her face. (And is noticed by the guard.) “- N.. not so loud my love. -“

 

“(Sorry. Thought we could try and talk like this.)”

 

“- Yes, it could be wise, but... -“

 

Suddenly they all are stunned in fear again, as the guard shoves his rifle at them! “Enough of the secretive talk!” ...and fires a burst that clips Keiichi's arm! The accompanying such screams of all various terror with, just lend to the trooper... “Such sedition is merit for death!”

 

“Agreed.”

 

Even Keiichi's pain is silenced, barely, as the guard feels his neck at the end of the hand of death. The flow of writhing ash with `all' hatred just reacts to the mere act of the guard's zeal. The other two guards fall to fearful knees, as Caceroth reacts outright... “Your duty did not include this measure.

 

Only I will have their blood, and no other.”

 

The guard dies even a worse death, verses the Illuminaran that still scalded their memory, too afresh. Caceroth allows the death to be prolonged in agony, to terrorize the witnessing with. It gets to a point Belldandy cannot take anymore, and.... “Where is you decency of measure Wraith! Why cannot there be a place for my compassion, for even you!”

 

Caceroth just eyes the goddess, knowing she's holding back her fathomless powers, to safeguard her family near her. The intent of defeat by only words, is in turn countered with.... “Not even this husk I inhabit, ever had that. I've never felt such an equal of the mortal crime, to become my vessel before. It laughs at your compassion, as much as I purely hate `you'!”

 

Belldandy crumpled back down, the Wraith savoring the death within hand. As such to go horridly with.. “I only hold my patience, such a patience I would never allow otherwise, because this will be the last. The time when all the Cosmos breaks before us all, and I become the extension of my Mother's vast Will, to a time is TRULY matters!

 

I will kill my Nemesis, as yours to witness, and BREAK you all, at the END!” ...so said of a passion that was the most alien of all to behold. Belldandy just gasped at the realization. “You wish the passion of that battle, over all else.”

 

Caceroth betrays a monstrous grin.

 

“It's all I have left, before we all die together.” ...and with that, the fading ash of his victim, is tossed away balefully. But what surprises the prisoners most, is that Caceroth does not inflict anything upon them as well! Before it's expounded upon further, Belldandy quickly looks to Keiichi's wound. “Are you alright?!”

 

“As long as you... ow... are.” ...Keiichi manages of smile. Belldandy `does' use her powers to heal the wound well enough. They note now the absence of Caceroth, but also the sight of a new guard in place of the `defunct'. It doesn't stop Megumi from whispering. “We may only get one chance.”

 

They all nod, for all the meaning of it.

 

----

 

Satorna looks as Caceroth `returns', the shadows of travel `medium', of telling effect. “Master.”

 

“When the battle soon to begin, arrives, bring the chaff to witness, aside my throne of seat. Otherwise, attend the battle to your whim, until called for.

 

The reasons, will be for full, and crushing effect.”

 

Satorna nods. “I `know' they will come soon. My actions hasten them, as was...” ...this he's silenced, as Caceroth `snap-holds', his ashen gauntlet, to the demon's cheek.

 

“Only matter to me, the acceleration process. `THAT', is the only key I require from you. Of myself, I hold only one thing higher, before the Will.”

 

The Emperor finds his seat soon enough, as the demon is `willed' back to the proper form. As such has been all along, all this time. The Commander just remarks of cracked voice. “Prepare for the next stage of Acceleration.”

 

“- Engaging Accelerator Amplifiers from Stage Two Point, at Twenty-Five percent. Estimated within one cyclon hour. -“ ...a deep and monolithic voice announces. It fit the bill.

 

--------------------

 

They had just settled back into the Illistrum bridge deck, Imlade freely giving the center seat to Lind, Eihwa lounging nearby, as he walked about of ancient habit, hearing various reports, filter through his ears, and the reactivated network link, he'd long since disused, until now. The Alliance crew in place, bio and mecha soul alike, were conducting their best, as the goddesses, and their various attachments, learn of all they could access of this new galaxy, in whatever measure, for as much as they can.

 

Scetu informs. “// Two minutes till Fold, Master.”

 

Imladris nods back, before then seeing Sceta just croon over `mechanically'. “// Such a dashing tone. Your programming has improved `indeed'.”

 

“// Such for a better removed time, Commander.” ...said heavily disarmingly. Not that it was dissuading any. Peorth of note, just `looks' at Imlade quizzically, fingering towards the two Synthetics, whit Imlade just shakes his head of light amusement.

 

His thoughts however then are pulled to a more familial matter, when Skuld and Urd come up to him. He notes Urd ask. “Coz, can we speak a moment alone?”

 

The open unease look on Skuld's face, just made it unnecessarily easier for such anyway. “Lead on.” ...Imladris gestures, the trio ending back up, where the Norns remaining, had their earlier chat. Imlade remarks... “I sense you prefer the solitude, of the Scientific controller suites center.”

 

“Whatever.” Urd quips, to Skuld's deliberate annoyance, as Urd then imparts her direct worry. “What is our place in the battle to come?”

 

Imladris was to speak, when he then hears behind him. “And of us?” ...of a Confessed tone. The Lord Knight looks back and sees all the Goddesses, high or nominal, along with their accompaniments. This as Skuld growls a tic. “You know, we were looking for privacy.”

 

“Apologies, but it's clear what this is.” Ishara remarks back, her hands as clenched as all the rest here. Imladris in particular, trades a contorted look with Sentaro, and then a lost one with Talos. This of Imladris's part to feel the facial expressions he sees. Such his decisions come from clearly.

 

“Skuld, I want you to assist Peorth, Urd, Sigrun, and Eihwa, in maximizing effect, between the Hikari Seeds, here and beyond, in between with the Subspace Link. Your abilities together, will help engender more that is needed, to help the fleet succeed.

 

No matter what else, you are my voice for what needs to be done, in my absence. This in case anyone challenges that opinion otherwise, in said absence. All that magnificent goddess power, should amount to most effect, this very day indeed.”

 

“I will assist as well.” Troubadour remarks, Imladris in fact returning the tone, on looking back. “What took you so long. It's been up `your' alley to be sure.”

 

Talos, (and for Sentaro too,) raises a finger to... “For us?” ...Chihiro and Tamiya the same in fact and listening. Imladris just relented to the obvious. “Sorry good ladies and sirs, you're at best, emotional support, if yet more not foreseen. This vessel you will stay, unless outside the battle, you wish to remain.”

 

“We won't see home again, if we fail though, right?” Sentaro asks. Imladris correcting, strongly enough. “We won't fail. I won't fail that Oath here, my friends.”

 

“Wes hear dat then. Just dos yas job bub.”

 

“Fine wisdom I can heed.” Chihiro quips, leaning into the large bloke. Sentaro nods stiffly then. “I'm staying with Skuld then.” Talos a nod to the `effective' same. Peorth just blushes away. “I hate it when he does that.”

 

Imladris then sighs and quips. “Lind, as I expect to occur anyway, will be with moi.”

 

“And us.” Frode snaps for Ishara and he of self. Imlade expected zilch less.

 

“And I.” ...from Mara on the other hand. “Pardon?”

 

Mara walks in the midst of them all. Urd just shoves her hands into her hips. “Besides the obvious there, I'd hate for ya to get confused as one of the enemy and all. Worse if they realize and....”

 

“Shove it `goddess', I'm there for two reasons. One personal, and the other because `I' know Marian technological layouts. Hah! Guess what that makes me!”

 

Sk: “Weird?”

 

Ur: “Cocky?”

 

Eih: :”A target?”

 

Sig: “Gullible?”

 

Fro/Ish: “Demonic?”

 

Troub: “Desperate?”

 

Tal: “Creepy?”

 

Sent: “.....”

 

Tamy: “Uhhhhs..”

 

Chih: “(Censored.)”

 

Peo: “Débile.”

 

“A friend.”

 

“Knock it off! I don't... wait, the demonic one I like, and... eh?”

 

Imlade gets a few unexpected glances as well, before the knight notes. “I'll put in a good word to Hild for ya, for this.”

 

----

 

“Don't hold his breath, for us.”

 

Frig just shook her head at that.

 

----

 

Mara just horsey huffs that off. “Means more work for me. Just think about using `all' your abilities, if I might add.” ...which makes Imladris suddenly introspective. Lind just half glares at Mara for it, before Nossi then enters, just as the Fold Drive engages. “What of I?”

 

Imladris looks up blankly, and responds a bit disarmed from before. “Um... I... fear I do not know you much. At all in fact. Your place will be your own, of any vein chosen. So honored it will be.”

 

Nossi nods. “Then I will add my abilities to your own plans. One more with my own intentions, along with.”

 

It was left at that, as the Fold commences.

 

When it's done with, voices suddenly clamor from the bridge deck! It's starkly easy to see why, when Skuld sees to an AGHAST voice! “COUSIN!” ...as they all cloister at the viewport, at a grand scene of...

 

Sentaro: “I... I thought we already `saw' a lot of ships.” ...as they look as best they can, `past' the viewport edges. It's clear there far, far more to be yet seen! The lot are already stampeding back to the Bridge, when Scetu announces over comms, `just' as they enter the Bridge “- // Master, the Illuminaran... -“

 

“I'm here, just connect the incoming signal now.” ...Imladris says, taking the fore of the Bridge, all others splayed about. The viewport is technologically wiped over with a holographic screen, with an elegant, near glowing being of somehow still humanoid, before the witnessing.

 

The lithe form catches Imladris alone, well off guard. “Lords, what changes in my absence unatoned for.”

 

“- We will not hold that against ye, rather of the truth before even `us' to behold. -“

 

Skuld behind just whispers amazed! “Is that what ascension looks like?” ...before Urd/Peorth shushes her. The Alliance crew see, and just witness the last rare moment to come.

 

Imladris bows regally. “Then take your measure, as well as the words to choose, to heed from.”

 

The lithe form of a being that was all but a humanoid form of a Hikari Tree, really, responds to full effect. “- Our dream to see our Savior return, can only have one response. Especially after the sundering of too many of our endless kin.

 

Our blades are yours to command, to whatever end your battle becomes of it. Thus I: Itarth, of Ascended Waiting, speak for us all, for the last time. Now... Command us! -”

 

Imladris shivers, as he hears so hard a truth to be told ever, as Ackronus gasps of an avian amazed. “There's over seventy thousand vessels alone, in that fleet. All active.”

 

24 looks around. “How?”

 

“Whom else has a greater stake in this all.” Eros responds, as Imladris looks back. “I sense the gift of foresight in this hand. Nonetheless.” ...and he turns to his Command. “24, Ackronus, redeploy all assets still active from Core Twelve, and adjust all relevant parameters. I want this done within the Cyclon hour.”

 

Boy, did they race to comply. This as Lind and Eihwa found their hearts to amour, with the sight of Imladris stopping back near Communications, habitually, as he commands... “Alliance Fleet Comm-Scramble Alpha Diamond 612:

 

- Attention all Alliance souls. T-minus Six Cyclon hours from mark after redeployment. Prepare for deployment orders, within three, at this Mark! -“ ...this as he knew his voice was booming of echo, across the entire galaxy. As such he added. “- Alliance and Galaxy, Sayeth Never Die!! -“

 

“­- ALLIANCE AND GALAXY, SAYETHNEVERDIE!!!! -“ ...exploded across the Comms, and the Bridge alike! It all flat out ramped up from there, as Imladris informs.” Sceta, Scetu, War Room in fifteen micros.” ...and strides out stiffly, as `all' knew the only thing left now, was to duty. Of best note of the utterly unexpected `guests' present, Eihwa just quips to Lind. “If you don't marry him, I sure eternamente will.” ...and floats off to follow. Lind is such halted to the same, as she realizes something, too obvious. This however is quickly silenced, in favor of a glance to family, and then to follow as well.